My Phoenix AHI Adventure OMG!!!
 

OK I know that I am SLOW!!! Sorry, but I am very tired and I am having some asthma problems. :(
I will post just the very first part to get a start. Trust me this is the boring stuff but it will get much more interesting. I can't even wait to tell everyone!!


Saturday
Well, I started my trip from Providence, Rhode Island early on Saturday morning. I got to T.F. Green airport and I almost went into shock. The security line was unbelievable!! It was not even a “line”. There were about 4 different waiting areas before you even got to the actual line. I really thought that I was going to miss my flight.
Well, after about a half hour it was my turn to go through security. It is always an ordeal because #1, I have high-speed film (1600) with me and #2, I have a TON of change in my purse and they ALWAYS hand check my bag. This time was no different.
I got on the plane to PHX in about another half hour. Five and a half long hours later I arrived in Phoenix. Yep, when I got off of the plane I did make another one of my brilliant discoveries. It was HOT!! One of the first things that I notice was how well I could breath there. I have asthma. I had no problems at all during my trip there.
After about a half hour of waiting I finally get my bag. I then call to arrange to be picked up. I get to my hotel and they hand me the key and tell me that I have been upgraded to a junior suite. I was really happy about that. I go in and make all of my phone calls and stuff. I get a knock at my door about a half hour later. It was a hotel staff member and they had an ice bucket with a can of Coke, a bottle of water and a little tray with 2 chocolate chip cookies and a balloon. That was nice and I was all happy about that.
I was staving and I headed out to the Mexican restaurant across the street. That was pretty good. After that I went back to my hotel and relaxed a bit after my long flight. I was bored out of my mind later on. I wanted to go out but I did not have a car. I called the hotel about a shuttle. I needed to go a mall and get some girly things. I love Macy’s so I asked about the nearest one. The shuttle driver recommended that I go to Scottsdale Mall instead of the one that the hotel told me about. It was more $ to get to but it was in a safer area. I have been there before and I love it and I know that it is Stevie’s favorite hangout. I get there about 6:30PM and they close at 9PM so I did not have much time. I got the girly stuff that I needed and some 1600 speed film. I was exhausted and I went back to my hotel. That’s it I told myself. I am going to rent a car tomorrow. I needed to go to a drug store and there was none within waking distance. I decided that I would rent one for exactly 2 days.

Sunday
I got up and of course had my breakfast. I need my coffee in the AM or I am cranky!! I try and call a few car rental places and no luck. Most had no cars. I found one that did and they were a little too much $ for me. I wanted to get away cheap. While I am searching the yellow pages for car rentals my cell phone rings. It was Janine (Bellablue21) from the Ledge board. She just got in town. I told her that I looking to rent a car. She said that she would be interested in sharing it with me. That was great because I would not be alone. I figured that I would have some company if I got lost. I met Janine at her hotel and we head out to get the car.
The first stop that we make is Walgreens. LOL Biltmore Fashion Place or something like that was the next stop. Well, I wanted to do more shopping. I hit Macy’s there. I think Janine was very patient to put up with me. I found a Kenneth Cole black lace top. It looked kind of like the one that Stevie wears in 1977. I found a black tank top with lace straps to go with it. Now of course I needed a certain type of undergarment to go with it. Again thanks to Janine for putting up with me.
Now we head out to have lunch. We take in the sites at the mall. I had no Stevie sightings there. I thought that we would try a hotel where they might me staying. We walked around a bit but did not see anyone. We head back to our hotel to freshen up to head out later for our little fan meeting at the Hard Rock.
I go back to my room and I shower and change into my Stevie-ish outfit. I head downstairs and a gentleman is standing at the check-in desk and he looks at me and says, “are you Pattie?” I was kind of shocked and I said “yes, I am’. He introduced himself as Jake ( Darklinensuit) from the Ledge board. After both Jake and Janine make some changes the three of us head out to the Hard Rock to meet the rest of the gang.

More to come...

Can't wait to hear more!!! Isn't it amazing how dry, arid weather really helps with health problems??? My parents had discussed moving to AZ when I was younger because the three of us suffer from really bad allergies. We're totally living in the wrong state :rolleyes:

Thanks Pattie! I love hearing about what everyone does the day before/day of the concert :) It's cool hearing everyone's pre-show plans, rituals, etc..... I can't wait to read your take on the show!!!


xx Meredith :wavey:

Well i can't speak for everyone but I'd really perfer if people didn't spend all this time talking about what they did before the concert. Really i don't think many people care. You're just wasting your time. If you're tired skip the boring stuff and get to where you meet the band. It's not just you a bunch of people submitt reviews and 80 percent of the review is what they did before and after the concert. And just a samll smidgit about the concert. What's with that.
..
This is just IMO of course

I enjoyed reading the pre-concert stuff...builds excitement for me :) Maybe it's also because I will be appearing in the next part of the pre-concert story :D hehehe....anyway...

My allergies are actually worse in Arizona, I stayed in Phoenix for a week in May...I thought I was dying or something, it was awful, at one point my eyes swelled so much I looked like Mr. Magoo....but I guess I'm just used to New Mexico....

Anyway even though I was there, I'm looking forward to reading the rest of your review :D

Deanna

Oh, play it the way that you feel it!
 

I've enjoyed reading the reviews . . . none of this is being graded, so if you want to ramble, that's fine with me. I appreciate reading the stories from the fans own world. Besides, if I wanted a straight "nothing but the facts" view, I'd read the newspaper. :laugh: Besides, it gives a chance to get to know a bit about the writer.

So rock on, tell your story, and I'll be there to read it! :)

That mall in Scottsdale is the best. What's it called, the Fashion Square Mall or something like that? I think it's really close to Stevie's house also. Can't wait to hear the rest of your story.

Hey Pattie:wavey:


I am anxious to hear the rest of your review since I pretty much was with you the whole time:D

Janine

I understand. I think sometimes the same. But I wrote a lot of crap myself when I was trying to sketch a context of an amazing experience.

So, let everybody decide themselves what they write. And you decide what you read. Sounds fair huh? Okay IMHO.

gerald

I happen to enjoy your reviews. I love your excitement and I live through your stories as some of us are not able to go to as many shows. Cant wait to see some pics!!

Tamara :wavey:

Well, just like with any other thread.......

If you aren't into it,




don't read it.


Move on to something that does interest you. Don't rain her parade. She's just excited, as she should be!

Write on, Pattie woman........

-Sharon

Sunday Night

We get to the Hard Rock and we go in and look around for the rest of the people that we were meeting. Jake spots Deanna (DrummerDeanna) right away. Sitting all together at the table were Nancy (Sodascouts), Kristen (GypsyRhiannon) and her sister. I am sorry but I can’t remember her name. Later on in the evening we were joined by Stacey (Livia). It was nice to meet everyone and put a name to their faces. The night just seemed to fly by. The Hard Rock did not have much Stevie memorabilia. Just a framed photo with some red gloves and a cow bell located on the other side of the restaurant. We all took group photos in front of the Stevie display. I stopped at the merchandise area and got a shirt and a pin. We all kind of decided that we were board and wanted to go check some things out. We were trying to find out where the band was staying. I had some idea but I was not really sure. Jake, Nancy and Kristen head out all in one car and Janine, Deanna and I head out together in Deanna’s car.. Deanna drove and the others followed her. Well, we took the right street but went the wrong way. We were way off. We got stuck in a monsoon on the way back to the hotel. Thankfully, Deanna seemed to do well driving in those conditions. When we got back Deanna and Janine decided to turn in for the night. Taurus that I am did not want to give up. Jake, Nancy and Kristen decide that they want to stay out too. Well after all of that just about everything at the hotel was closed so it was silly to stay out. We head back to our hotels and off to bed I went.

Go on w/it Pattie...I want ALL the details :nod: and I can't wait to see your pictures :D

Pattie, keep up the good work! I love reading your long reviews and I can hardly wait to read what you have done next. I just wish I had as many adventures as you do. Next time you will have to take me along with you.:D

Hawkeye...
 

That's really off the mark (IMO). Not all of us get the opportunity to meet up with other Ledgies etc and it's just great to hear about all the fun and friendship. It's as much about the fans as it is the band that makes me keep coming back here!
Oh and also - it's a great way to hear about different parts of the world/country!
Can't wait for the rest Pattie...
Much appreciated! :wavey:

Monday
OK. It was finally here the BIG day!! In less then 24hrs I would be seeing my favorite band and maybe even getting a chance to meet them in person. I did not keep my hopes up about meeting the whole band, however. I called Janine and Deanna while I was having breakfast and made plans to go out with them around 10AM. I took them on the Paradise Valley tour. LOL We stopped at a few nice hotels but found nothing there. We then headed back to get ready for our big night out.
I put on my black lace tank top with my crocheted black skirt and my black lace top. I put on my signature concert lipstick” Cherries in the Snow” by Revlon. I was all ready to rock and roll. I then head down to lobby to meet Janine, Jake and Deanna and we all head out to Cooperstown. The place was packed. I was so nervous that I could not even eat. Janine and I headed out a little early because we had donor tickets. We walked over to stand in the line. While I am in line I see a woman with her foot in a brace and crutches. I knew that it had to be Jan from the Nicksfix chats. I had chatted on the phone with her friend Christie earlier that evening. I went over to introduce myself.
The waits to get into the pre-party seemed like an eternity. Finally the doors open and we walk for what seems like forever to get to the party. They check our bags and ask if we have cameras. Someone said yes and that they brought them for the after party. Security lets them in and says OK just don’t use it at the show. LOL So, I got in with mine. Not that much excitement at the party. I did not eat too much there. I did see Barbara and Jess Nicks, Stevie’s parents. Her father was in a wheelchair. Her Mom is just so cute she had on snakeskin pants. We headed out to the merchandise booth and I did not see any special shirt that said AHI 2003. I did not get anything new. Then it was time to get to our seats. I was sitting in the third row right behind Jan and Christie. The people around me seemed pretty cool, too. I was getting so nervous that I just could not wait. Finally I hear the crickets and I jump up. About half way through The Chain Christie motions to me to jump over to 2nd row. I hate to jump over but I did and of course one leg never seems to go over. I was right between Jan and Christie. It was great being next to two big fans that actually enjoy the show. Christie jumped over to the first row but security caught the poor thing. I was not really dancing a lot because there was not too much room there and I did not want to step on Jan’s foot. I think that I was so excited to be there that I don’t remember that much. Stevie did have a different long coat for Gypsy. It was a beautiful red one. I was like WOW that’s something new. I was afraid to take out my camera. I saw some people take pictures so about half way though the show I took mine out. I think I took about 72 photos in 10 minutes. LOL I remember Stevie saying thanks for coming and we need the money so these doctors can fix these hearts. That was funny she made it sound like it was an auto repair shop. Lindsey was his crazy self. LOL He saw me taking a photo and he laughed. He must have been thinking, “Oh no here is that strange long-haired brunette again. LOL I missed GYOW because I was trying to change my film. I could not find the compartment that I put my film in my new purse. Luckily they gave use a little strobe flash light and I use that to find it. I was busy trying to take photos. I hope that something good came out.

The After-Party
Well, I headed out with Janine to the after party at Kincaid’s. We were the first ones in there. We saw the area where the photos would be taken. We sit in a booth right in front of the area but it was facing the other way. I was not that excited about getting my photo with the band. I hate getting my photo taken. About a half hour later Jess Nicks was speaking but I could not hear a word that he said. I could see Mick and Lindsey at the door. I tried to take a few photos. Then the whole band heads over to the photo area. I was trying to take photos but I did not have that much film left. I was not too happy. I should have taken more with me. I am in shock because the whole band is right there almost right in front of me. I looked over at Lindsey and he looked like he was thrilled to be there .His face kind of changed and he smiled when he spotted me. I did not make eye contact with him at all the rest of the night. Jan and Christie were sitting next to us. We had plans to take their pictures when they went up and then they would take ours when it was our turn.
Jan and Christie go up and get their photo taken with the band. I try to take their photo. Janine and I finally decide to go up now. We get in the roped off area and this mean guy says to us” THAT’S IT NO MORE PHOTOS!!!” Janine tells the mean guy that we paid for this and we did not get our photos. A few people in back of me are complaining that they did not get theirs either. The mean guy did not care. Finally the guy says OK this is the last one. I notice that my cover-up lace top has come undone. I did not have time to fix it because we just got shoved into the photo area. Janine goes in front of me and heads toward Stevie. I see John McVie to my left and he says “hi”. I just say a friendly “hello” to him. He seemed really nice. I wish that I had more time to talk to him. I go and try to hug Stevie. I just go up to her like I am at an Italian wedding. LOL. She kind of puts her are around me and she asks (I think the mean guy) “is this the last one” I was like um gee Stevie thanks for saying HI. NOT!! So we pose for our 2 photos and I have my arm around Stevie. I really hope that I did not have my hand where it did not belong. After she said thanks for coming and nice to meet you. I just said yeah-OK thank you. I was not too happy with the whole Stevie meeting.
Then it happened!! This was the big one. I saw Lindsey standing there and he looked a little lost. I wanted to say hello after all of the interaction that I have had with him on stage on this tour. I had no idea what to say to him and I had no idea what he would think. He might run away from me.
Well, I was one step from getting kicked out of the area so I was quick. This all happened so fast but I will never forget it.
I went up to him and just said a friendly, casual “Hi”. Well, he looked around to see who said hi and when he saw me that was it. He looked at me like I was an angel that just came down from heaven. His blue eyes were just looking at me and he was frozen and just speechless. His eyes sparkled and he was kind of smiling and his mouth was kind of half open. LOL I think that he was totally shocked that I said Hi to him and I was so casual about it. He seemed like he was star-struck. I wanted to say ‘hey I should be looking at you like this”. Well, I was so freaked out by his reaction that I did not say anything else. I was being thrown out of the area anyway. I can just see the 2 of us
staring into each others blue eyes, LOL That’s something that I will never forget. Now I am afraid what he is going to do if I see him at any more shows. Oh no here is that crazy brunette with the red/plum highlights and the blue eyes again. LOL. I might need to wear a disguise for my next shows. LOL

<---what could have happened....lol


Pattie...I like, think you are the greatest lady....all I have to say is......

From one Patti to another Pattie :),

I was at the after-party as well...my review is further down the board, but I also had a Lindsey encounter and you described what I thought I saw as well! When I spoke with him and shook his hand, he just had the greatest expression on his face, like he was thrilled that someone actually talked to him! He had the most gorgeous, gorgeous eyes that were looking at ME!

Anyway, I'm starting to gush again, but I wanted to say thank you for your review...I LOVED reading it!

Patti

lmao!!

Wow Pattie - congrats on that big stare with Lindsey - it sounded so prolonged and intense I was expecting to read "And then Kristen ran up and bitch-slapped me". LOL!
And you even got John speaking totally unsolicited! You must have a visible 'FM Fan' aura. :D

Why, Thank you Marissa. LOL

One of my co-workers said to me um, I think he liked you maybe you should have handed him your phone# and room key. LOL
I told her sorry, but he is married with 2 kids now.:( I would never do that anyway.

Well, I don't even want to see this photo. I can just imagine what it is like. My lace top came unhooked and I might even have my hand on Stevie's butt.:confused: :eek: :laugh:
I can just imagine the photo looking like the Seinfeld episode where Elaine has her photo taken by Kramer and a certain something is showing.:eek:
Maybe if it was the Mac back in the seventies it would have been OK.:laugh:

Thank you Patti. I loved your review also.;) At least you got to touch his hand. I still have not done that yet. LOL I was a little afraid to plus that mean guy that was there yelling at us to leave.:(

LOL you know Joe. I was not even shy or nervous at all. When there are on stage I get that way but not seeing them in person. Now, Isn't that weird?
Um Kristen huh? Yeah I guess she might be looking for me at upcoming shows. Yeah guess I better getta disguise now. LOL Never!!

Pattie you need to look at the photo, it is soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo cool.

You look great in it.

We are next to STEVIE:D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D

Janine

OMG You saw it!! I don't look like I have my eyes closed!! LOL My goods are not hanging out either. Wow thats a relief!! Can you send it to me? Please.

AHHH!!! You guys are killing me!!! lol...I've gotta see some photos here....I only took the one of us at Hard Rock....and though I've seen your Janine....I'm having withdrawls hehehe

Glad I got to hear your account of the after party, Pattie, since we didn't get a chance to really talk the next day....oh...it sounds like you guys had such a great time in there :)

Stevie was obviously still smarting over being dissed by sodascouts for Lindsey. She probably thought "Well, that's enough of this sh*t.":laugh: :laugh:

Pattie I need your e-mail address so I can send you the photo. If you want I can post it.

You look great, everything was intact:)

Janine

I got to get at least one roll developed tomorrow. I can put them on a disc and post them IF they came out.

I'd love to see the picture!

Pip

Hey all you guys....I really really really wanted to meet you all. Livia and Jess were with us and they just left and we did not know it. I wanted to come to the Hard Rock so badly. Maybe next time I will get to meet you all. Sounds like so many of us were there...makes me sad, but, so excited for you all!!! :wavey:

DUDE!!! I just saw the pic!!! Pattie...and Janine!!! That pic rocks!!! You guys look great...as does the band...though poor John is just like there all by his lonesome onthe side...haha..great pic....!!!!

I am saddened to say that between here and the Nicksfix, there are still no pics up from the benefit. I am so curious...esp if anyone got one of the red duster that Livia was talking about....

Oh well....I guess patience will be my middle name :)

Tamara :wavey:

I have some great photo's I just need help posting them.

Deanna how about that for a photo... I stared at it for like an
hour my jaw on the floor:D

Patti I am dying to know if you got any pictures of us while we were up with the band.

Janine

Better patience than "disappointment" (like the song Jane), LOL.

:)

Well, I took one roll to one hour photo which was NOT one hour. I won't get it back until tomorrow evening. I promise that I will post whatever comes out OK.

Aw! I feel guilty enough already! lol

Seeknpeace - I wish I could've met you, too. Maybe next time!

Now, Pattie, let me see that photo! You know my e-mail, as does everyone else, lol - [email protected].

Pretty please!

We will definately do that the next time that we all go to a show. It was just a slip by.

Is Anyone coming to the Greensboro show?

Well, I got one roll back and you know what? They came out GOOD!! These are the best photos that I got so far on this tour. Trust me. That is not saying much, however.
I will be posting them shortly. Most of them are of Lindsey;) I got a few good ones of Mick, too. Stevie, well she does not come out too good. I got maybe 2 of her that are OK.

Hey Pattie did any of our ones of us with the band turn out???

Janine